Top 100 Baseball Players Of The 80s
The 80s were a great decade for baseball. The game was full of talented players who left their mark on the sport. Fans still remember some of the greatest players of that decade. Here are the top 100 baseball players of the 80s.
1. Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson was a force to be reckoned with during the 80s. He was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time World Series champion, and two-time league MVP. Henderson also set the record for stolen bases in a season and career.
2. Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt was a dominant player during the 80s. He won three National League MVP awards and led the league in home runs four times. Schmidt helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to their first World Series championship in 1980.
3. Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs was a hitting machine during the 80s. He won five batting titles and was named an All-Star eight times. Boggs helped lead the Boston Red Sox to the World Series in 1986.
4. Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn was one of the most consistent hitters of the 80s. He won four batting titles and was named an All-Star ten times. Gwynn also won five Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense in the outfield.
5. Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith was known for his amazing defense during the 80s. He won 11 Gold Glove awards and was named an All-Star 10 times. Smith also helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series in 1982.
6. Dale Murphy
Dale Murphy was a great all-around player during the 80s. He won two National League MVP awards and was named to the All-Star team seven times. Murphy also won five Gold Glove awards for his superior defense in the outfield.
7. Cal Ripken Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr. played in more than 2,000 consecutive games during the 80s. He won two American League MVP awards and was named to the All-Star team 11 times. Ripken Jr. also won two Gold Glove awards for his outstanding defense at shortstop.
8. Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens was dominant during the 80s. He won 20 or more games in a season four times and was named to the All-Star team six times. Clemens also won the Cy Young award three times.
9. Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett was a fan favorite during the 80s. He won two World Series championships with the Minnesota Twins and was named to the All-Star team ten times. Puckett also won six Gold Glove awards for his exceptional defense in the outfield.
10. Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly was one of the best hitters of the 80s. He won the American League batting title in 1984 and was named to the All-Star team six times. Mattingly also won nine Gold Glove awards for his terrific defense at first base.
11. George Brett
George Brett was a hitting machine during the 80s. He won two American League batting titles and was named to the All-Star team six times. Brett helped lead the Kansas City Royals to their first World Series championship in 1985.
12. Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden was a dominant pitcher during the 80s. He won the National League Cy Young award in 1985 and was named to the All-Star team four times. Gooden also helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series championship in 1986.
13. Tim Raines
Tim Raines was one of the best leadoff hitters of the 80s. He won the National League batting title in 1986 and was named to the All-Star team seven times. Raines also set the record for stolen bases in a game with six.
14. Jack Morris
Jack Morris was known for his clutch performances during the 80s. He won two World Series championships and was named to the All-Star team five times. Morris also threw a ten-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.
15. Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela was a fan favorite during the 80s. He won the National League Cy Young award in 1981 and was named to the All-Star team six times. Valenzuela also helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series championship in 1981.
16. Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry was a feared hitter during the 80s. He was named to the All-Star team eight times and helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series championship in 1986. Strawberry also hit 39 home runs in 1987.
17. Andre Dawson
Andre Dawson was a powerful hitter during the 80s. He won the National League MVP award in 1987 and was named to the All-Star team eight times. Dawson also won eight Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense in the outfield.
18. Eddie Murray
Eddie Murray was a consistent hitter during the 80s. He won three Gold Glove awards and was named to the All-Star team six times. Murray also helped lead the Baltimore Orioles to a World Series championship in 1983.
19. Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven was a dominant pitcher during the 80s. He won the American League ERA title in 1985 and was named to the All-Star team twice. Blyleven also won two World Series championships.
20. Gary Carter
Gary Carter was a great catcher during the 80s. He was named to the All-Star team ten times and helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series championship in 1986. Carter also won three Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense behind the plate.
21. Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire was a powerful hitter during the 80s. He hit 49 home runs in 1987 and was named to the All-Star team four times. McGwire also set the record for most home runs by a rookie with 49.
22. Jose Canseco
Jose Canseco was a feared hitter during the 80s. He won the American League MVP award in 1988 and was named to the All-Star team six times. Canseco also hit 40 or more home runs in a season four times.
23. Robin Yount
Robin Yount was a consistent hitter during the 80s. He won two American League MVP awards and was named to the All-Star team seven times. Yount also won three Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense in the outfield.
24. Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield was a great all-around player during the 80s. He was named to the All-Star team eight times and helped lead the Toronto Blue Jays to their first division title in 1985. Winfield also won five Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense in the outfield.
25. Keith Hernandez
Keith Hernandez was a great defensive player during the 80s. He won six Gold Glove awards and was named to the All-Star team five times. Hernandez also won two World Series championships.
26. Dave Parker
Dave Parker was a feared hitter during the 80s. He won the National League MVP award in 1978 and was named to the All-Star team seven times. Parker also won three Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense in the outfield.
27. Jim Rice
Jim Rice was a great hitter during the 80s. He won the American League MVP award in 1978 and was named to the All-Star team eight times. Rice also won two Silver Slugger awards for his hitting prowess.
28. Lee Smith
Lee Smith was a dominant closer during the 80s. He led the league in saves four times and was named to the All-Star team three times. Smith also set the record for most career saves at the time of his retirement.
29. Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Sandberg was a great defensive player during the 80s. He won nine Gold Glove awards and was named to the All-Star team nine times. Sandberg also won the National League MVP award in 1984.
30. Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan was a dominant pitcher during the 80s. He struck out more than 200 batters in a season six times and was named to the All-Star team four times. Ryan also threw seven no-hitters during his career.
31. Dave Concepcion
Dave Concepcion was a great defensive player during the 80s. He won five Gold Glove awards and was named to the All-Star team nine times. Concepcion also helped the Cincinnati Reds win two World Series championships.
32. Steve Garvey
Steve Garvey was a consistent hitter during the 80s. He was named to the All-Star team six times and helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series championship in 1981. Garvey also won four Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense at first base.
33. Bret Saberhagen
Bret Saberhagen was a dominant pitcher during the 80s. He won the American League Cy Young award in 1985 and 1989 and was named to the All-Star team three times. Saberhagen also helped the Kansas City Royals win the World Series in 1985.
34. Alan Trammell
Alan Trammell was a great all-around player during the 80s. He was named to the All-Star team six times and helped the Detroit Tigers win the World Series in 1984. Trammell also won three Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense at shortstop.
35. Garry Templeton
Garry Templeton was a great defensive player during the 80s. He won two Silver Slugger awards and was named to the All-Star team three times. Templeton also won two Gold Glove awards for his excellent defense at shortstop.
36. Joe Carter
Joe Carter was a powerful hitter during the 80s. He hit 30 or more home runs in a season four times and was named to the All-Star team five times. Carter also hit the game-winning home run in the 1993 World Series.
37. Will Clark
Will Clark was a consistent hitter during the 80s.